Hannah Slattery, M25
What inspired you to pursue your degree, and how has your personal journey shaped your career goals?
My passion for medicine was born from witnessing the health inequities faced by Native American communities, including my own relatives and the Wabanaki Nations. I saw firsthand the impact of systemic barriers—such as lack of access to clean water, culturally competent care, and representation in health policy. These experiences inspired me to become a physician who not only provides compassionate, holistic care but also advocates for Indigenous self-governance and public health reform.
My journey has been shaped by community mentorship, advocacy, and leadership. I have served on the Board of Native American Lifelines, lobbied for tribal health legislation, and worked with national organizations like the AMA Committee on American Indian Affairs and the Association of Native American Medical Students. Each of these roles reaffirmed my mission: to center Indigenous voices in medicine, advance health equity, and honor my ancestors through service and advocacy.
Matching into Family Medicine at Maine Medical Center allows me to continue this work, caring for my community while advancing the cause of Native American health equity at every level—from individual patient care to national policy.
How have your experiences at Tufts prepared you for your future career?
My time at Tufts University School of Medicine, especially in the Maine Track and as a Sam W. Ho Health Justice Scholar, has been foundational in shaping me as a physician and advocate for Native American health equity. Through mentorship in the Health Justice Scholars Program and close relationships with family medicine faculty and residents at Tufts, MaineHealth, and community medical centers statewide, I have learned the importance of serving “the whole person” in the context of their community and beliefs. These relationships provided not only clinical training but also a model for compassionate, culturally responsive care that centers the needs and autonomy of Indigenous patients.
My leadership roles, including serving on the Board of Directors for Native American Lifelines and in executive leadership in the Association of Native American Medical Students, deepened my understanding of the systemic barriers Indigenous communities face and the importance of policy advocacy. I have integrated my passion for health equity into direct action—lobbying for Indigenous public health legislation, testifying before state legislatures, and advocating for graduate medical education funding for the Indian Health Service. These experiences have given me the skills, perspective, and resolve to continue this work as a Family Medicine physician, where I will have the privilege of providing continuity of care across generations while advancing public health policy.
If you could go back to before you started at Tufts and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?
I would tell myself: “Trust in your moral compass and lived experiences—these will guide your journey to creatively challenge the norm.” Early on, I sometimes worried about standing out or being “the only one” discussing specific advocacy-related topics. But my ability to gain allies and build deep, impactful relationships alongside my commitment to the Wabanaki Confederacy’s fight for Tribal Sovereignty have been my greatest sources of strength, fueling my advocacy and shaping my approach to medicine. Embracing this fully has empowered me to have a stronger, clearer voice for my community and beliefs, and to highlight the important connections between policy and community health.
What advice would you offer to prospective students based on your own experience?
Seek mentorship and community: Find mentors who share your values and can support your growth—especially those committed to health justice, equity, and community-based medicine.
- Get involved early: Don’t wait to participate in leadership, advocacy, or research. These experiences will clarify your goals and expand your impact.
- Balance advocacy and self-care: The work of health equity can be demanding. Prioritize your well-being and seek support from peers and mentors.
- Use your voice: Whether through policy, research, or clinical care, your perspective matters. Testify, lobby, write, and organize! Change happens through collective action.
- Stay open to growth: Your interests may evolve. Be willing to pivot and pursue new opportunities that align with your mission.
How have your research interests developed during your degree, and what impact do you aim to make in your field?
Throughout my degree program, my research interests have increasingly focused on the intersection of tribal sovereignty and health equity for Native American communities, particularly the Wabanaki Nations. Early in my training, I was broadly interested in socioeconomic determinants of health, but as I engaged more deeply with community health and policy, I recognized that tribal sovereignty itself is a critical—yet often overlooked—determinant of health for Indigenous peoples.
My work has evolved to examine how federal and state policies, such as the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act (MICSA), have restricted tribal sovereignty and directly contributed to health disparities among the Wabanaki Nations. This includes investigating the downstream effects of limited self-governance: reduced access to resources, environmental hazards, and poorer health outcomes such as higher rates of chronic disease and cancer, and lack of access to clean water.
Through this research, I aim to reframe the conversation in academic medicine and public health to recognize tribal sovereignty as a fundamental determinant of health. My goal is to inform health policy, promote Indigenous self-determination, and ultimately improve health outcomes by advocating for the restoration and protection of tribal rights. I hope that my work will inspire other researchers and policymakers to center tribal sovereignty in discussions of health equity and to address the structural barriers that continue to impact Tribal Nations.
Why did you decide to join the Maine Track MD program at Tufts?
I chose the Maine Track MD program at Tufts because of its strong emphasis on rural health and its mission to train physicians who are dedicated to serving communities within Maine. The program was specifically developed to address the shortage of doctors in rural and underserved areas of the state, offering a curriculum that immerses students in community-based healthcare from the very beginning. This approach resonated with my goal to practice medicine in Maine and contribute directly to improving access and quality of care for populations that need it most.
The Maine Track’s unique structure—combining time at Tufts in Boston with extensive clinical training throughout Maine—provided the perfect environment to develop the skills and experience necessary to thrive as a rural physician. Additionally, the program’s commitment to supporting students through scholarships and fostering long-term connections with Maine communities made it clear that this was a place where I could grow both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact.
Could you speak to a feature of the Maine Track program that had the biggest impact on your education?
The feature of the Maine Track program that had the most profound impact on my education was the clinical training at MaineHealth. Working within this system provided me with a high-quality, rigorous medical education while also offering the warmth and intimacy of a close-knit community. My attendings and mentors not only knew my name but also took the time to understand my interests, career goals, and personal journey. This personalized attention fostered a supportive learning environment where I felt seen and valued as both a student and a future physician.
The balance between educational rigor and genuine community connection made my clinical experiences deeply rewarding and formative. Being part of a team where mentorship was individualized, and relationships were built on trust and mutual respect truly shaped my approach to medicine and reinforced my commitment to serving Maine’s communities.